Hapag-Lloyd still in front

The 184-passenger HANSEATIC scored 1746 points, making it the only expedition ship to be awarded five stars.

Berlitz Cruise Guide 2013: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ ships retain their leading position in the luxury and expedition segment

• MS EUROPA the only ship with 5-stars-plus award
• Expedition ships HANSEATIC and BREMEN: 5-stars and 4-stars-plus
• Guide available in e-book format on 15 September 2012

MS EUROPA, the flagship of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, is the only cruise ship in the world to be awarded the highest rating 5-stars- plus in the new edition 2013 of the renowned “Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships“. Both expedition ships of the fleet MS HANSEATIC (5-stars) and MS BREMEN (4-stars-plus) retain their high ratings.

Rated with 1852 points out of a maximum of 2000, the 408-passenger EUROPA received again – since its commissioning in 1999 – the highest rating of all 284 ships tested. The 184-passenger HANSEATIC scored 1746 points, making it the only expedition ship to be awarded five stars. The second expedition ship of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the 164-passenger MS BREMEN, received the award 4-stars-plus for the second time with 1553 points.

Author Douglas Ward and his team tested a total of 284 cruise ships from all over the world, assessing criteria such as ship furnishings, quality and diversity in the restaurants, service and crew, entertainment and cruise experience. As a consequence, Ward describes MS EUROPA as offering “the best cruise experience available today unless you own a private motor yacht”. In this new edition of the “Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships“, once again the rating 5-stars-plus has been awarded to only one ship: MS EUROPA.

“Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2013″ by Douglas Ward, 704 pages, paperback; available from 1st October 2012 from all good bookshops. Also available as an application for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch from 15th September 2012.

For bookings, inquiries, or to request a brochure, please look for your nearest sales agent in your country at www.hl-cruises.com, link „Contact & Services”